The richest of my time, looking for car parts.

Joy of classic car, it's pleasure to be repaired than to driving pleasure.
Looking for parts from the world, made ​​of one-off parts.
From the need to read the manual, is also studying English.

Anyone can do only drive classic car, because it is not interesting,

Only drive, I have more fun in modern Porsche.
But, to derive performance underdevelopment of classic car,
Technology and engineering knowledge is required.
So, rather than styling and atmosphere of classic cars,
I am interested in the mechanisms and performance.

Now, I will be able to order in the UK and U.S.on the net easily,
Old days, I had to order it took a month to write a contact letter.
I was also studying the customs clearance procedures like trader.

And I was also learning English.
Air cargo because it was expensive, I was using a cheap shipping service.
And I have taken three months to delivery.
But, now will be delivered in a week at DHL.

I have a parts catalog and the parts are stock ride like lifetime,

I went to the meeting with Mr. Sakuma of Grand Auto.
For the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders,
Lockheed repair kit was enough in stock.
Only adjustable parts and brake shoes was required purchase.

Let's overhaul also replace the bearings of the wheel hub.
Parts catalog to find the parts needed for my fun time.
With reference to the parts catalog and workshop manual XK120,
and my favorite cigars, It is the best time for me. 

Difficult part will receive a request 

with the photos from Mr. Sakuma

Overhaul have finished by Lockheed repair kit
Master cylinder and wheel cylinders

Birdhouse has been swaying in north wind

Where the little birds would have gone
Birdhouse has been swaying in north wind
Frozen swaying in my sorrow

Where the flowers would have gone
Pampas grass has been swaying in north wind
Withered swaying in my sorrow

The morning air was 10 degrees below zero
And by the time the sun sets four o'clock
Frozen leaves covering the forest
Frost is lift up the ground
Cold winter came to the foothills of Fuji

Soon, around here is covered with the white snow

Then, the snow would wrapping my sorrow

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　  K.Keiji

Contemporary Art by Mr. Sakuma "Sadness of disappear"

Mr. Sakuma is an excellent car mechanic.

But, he would have succeeded if aspiring to artist.
I admire look at the photo report of my XK120 repair process.
In cheap camera, he simply pressing the shutter automatically.
But, composition and contrast that he will catch the unconsciously,
It is just instinct of the artist.
He had unwittingly arranged parts is perfect like the layout 
has been calculated. It is really beautiful.
"Sadness of disappear" into his art are represented.

Always, I have enjoyed his contemporary art.

The photo, left front wheel cylinder broken at classic car meeting.
I was distracted by the engine performance and steered drivability, 

Had not only to check the thickness of the drum brake shoes.

I had forgotten the importance of the brake.

It's because it was too familiar to modern cars.
Now, I am full of shame.

Master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses & pipes, brake shoe.

Brake system has been overhauled all perfectly.

Shooting stick with embossing initials KK.

I was walking with a cane at Classic car meeting "Vetro Montagna".
Mr. Inoue saw my cane, kindly sent me a British antique seat stick.
I really liked it, and every day I have used it for walk with my dog Pepe.
Mt. Fuji to watch while enjoying a cigar, is my best time.
And now, Mr.Inoue gave me the old cane is polished to restore like new.

Seat Stick is called Shooting Stick or Seat Cane usually.
Originally, to the base of the gun when hunting, 
and it is used seat that was used while waiting for their prey.
Also used not only hunting, it will be used golf and watching horse racing.

I felt interested in the seat cane, had examined the type and its history,
I found a shop in the UK that will put the initials on the leather seat.
Leather are wound like the grip may not be cold for cold day.
The weight of this stick is 800~1000 grams.
The correct length of the cane is the length of 3cm plus half the height.
There is also an adjustable length type, but there was best length for me.
Another one, I want to have this cane-filled initials.
and I ordered it the carved initials KK gold in the UK shop.
A few days later, it was delivered from England.

Double-breasted cashmere overcoat, scarf wrapped around and this cane.
It is old-fashioned, but I will walk with Pepe in wearing this.
Would be fun tramping frigid 10 degrees below zero.

Example of the use of shooting seat

But, it is not an exit tunnel

　
　Time left to me there is only a little longer
　So, I can not give you anything

　Only, the Fuji shining white in the moonlight 
　"Look at" I will only be showing it to you
　Although I have been thinking of you so much
　Yes, you are my muse

　Return highway that sent you home
　The dark road illuminated by headlights
　Your little lips are floating
　Long tunnel feel like there is no exit
　Your warm eyes are floating

　But, it is not an exit tunnel
　But, it is not an exit tunnel

                                      　　Keiji

"Man, Do not become a onlooker never !"

Hotel Yunosato: Hashimoto city in Wakayama ( link )

Kumano-Kodo / Kumano Hongu Torii ( link )　　Photography: Yoh Onda 

Trip to Koyasan, I ran with my son in this XK120.
I wanted to tell him. Do not be satisfied with a bystander.
"Man, Do not become a onlooker never !"

Just criticism, people are participating in the illusion as politics.
Just watch sports, people illusion became an athlete.
Just collect toys, people like the illusion got the real thing.
I can not admit, the men with a big mouth like this. 

I have been teaching my son how to drive classic car. 
The technology of the old race car that I've learned.
Heel and toe. How to align the revolution speed at the time of shift down.
Cornering techniques. How you step on the drum brake.
Mechanism of the drive train, fuel system. etc...
In the rain, the brake problem would have been a good experience for him.

Beijing to Paris. I gave up and it is impossible to physically anymore.
But, hoping that my son would come true me that dream.

Classic car fashion of Henry Poole for Aston Martin

This is a classic car driving fashion of Henry Poole for Aston Martin.
These photo will be candy my eyes...

Classic car meeting, originally It's a the world like this.
Childish meetings in Japan is different from the atmosphere.
Originally it's impossible in Japan.

If we even had a meeting that mimics the atmosphere like in Japan,
It would be like the Evening Ball of shameful atmosphere Rokumeikan (link).

We can buy any expensive classic car.
But, we can not buy such elegance.

Autumn, many classic car meeting has been held in Japan.
And, surprised by the dreadfulness of great car that exist in Japan.
But, never saw a person look good on classic car.
Everyone, it looks poorly in jeans, baseball cap and down jacket uniformly,
Have lost the dignified of a classic car.
Classic cars are merely accessory. 
Owner should be recognized as a leading actor. 
Not only classic car, I hope to classic car enthusiasts
want to enjoy the more fashion.

Please reference:
Henry Poole & Co. english (Link) / japanese (Link) 

Taylor menswear at number 15 Savile Rowin London, UK. 

Widely known as "Taylor's oldest Savile Row."

Traditional seat stick made ​​in England sent me by Mr. Inoue

Traditional seat stick made ​​in England sent me by Mr. Inoue

Sitting in the cockpit of a 1947 MG TC of Mr. Inoue at Vetro Montagna.

Fascinated by the Big Jaeger dials, it's British sporting tradition.

Always, I want to be that old cane like look nice.
And it want to be a natural form, I was walking my ​​Pepe with a stick.
It is because of my yearning, not because painful to walk.                    

This year, I went to have my favorite stick of Vetro Montagna.
I feel that I have a stick, and anyone old enough strange.
Many people prefer to be seen younger,
But, I want to be seen in aged that have been refined over years.
So, I was glad that it is not strange that I also have a stick.

Mr. Inoue, who participated in the1947 MG TC. I was meet again this year.
With a smile he said, "I will send you a nice present" to me.
Last year, he gave me a wooden box of rare antique British (Link) to me.

He often went to the antique auction in Britain, 

and he knew the goods likely my favorite.

From the time I saw seat stick the first time in the race track in the UK,
I thought I did want to get older.
Therefore, I came to an age where I need it now.
I will enjoy a cigar while watching the Mt.Fuji sitting in this seat stick.

Mr. Inoue. Thank you so much.

Clothes brush, I always put it into luggage when out on trip.

Photo from Mr.Sakuma. There was the brush on the side of the spare tire.

Recently, I often lost my favorite tools.
I think it's sad but not be helped because the age.

When traveling, I have always put in luggage clothes brush.
This clothes brush with the handle of ebony wood,
This brush I got when I was tailored clothes in Eikokuya in Ginza.
Hair texture, weight, shapes is I like.
And it's memories of when I was brilliant.

But I was leave this brush with the trip to Koyasan.
Maybe it would have been left in the trunk of the XK120 was repaired.
I asked to Grand Auto do not forget to clothes brush in the car.

Photo was sent from Mr. Sakuma  "Is this brush? "
And he soon gave me to sent by express delivery.

And yet, I'm looking for another favorite tool lost this time....

21th VETRO MONTAGNA gave a strong admonish my conceit.

1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage of the owner Dr. Hasegawa.

Thank you for lend me Mr. Sakuma who participated in your crew. 

And, thanks to Mr. Sakuma who helped me until midnight.

Evening after the rain. Mr. Sakuma get ready for loading into car carrier.
Midnight. XK120 to loading the transporter arrived from Tokyo.

Time taken to Tokyo from Wakayama came in about 9 hours.

Important performance, it's the most car braking ability.
Rain in Koyasan, taught me the importance of brakes 
that I had forgotten.

Downhill of the Kumano Kodo is continuous tight corners in the rain. 

XK120 drum brake of the left front wheel was not working.

Wiper useless. While cloudy with a towel and wipe the windows,

Fell to the bottom of the valley, to the car in front collision.
Exhaustion has reached the limit of the nerve at risk blowing sweat.

Mr. Sakuma (Grand Auto) check the temperature of the four wheels,
He said the left front drum brakes was cold.
Not the fade by frequently used braking in downhill, 

it does not operate the brake shoes wheel cylinder locks.
Car around the block to flash the hazard lights of my support car, 

I did not have the only way down from the mountain 

at the speed of about 20km/h.

Reliable car transporter"Crayon".  I called my broken car to carry 

to Tokyo from Wakayama.

Crayon to arrive in Tokyo from Wakayama, about 9 hours.
We were waiting for a leisurely dinner at Shirahama.

And I came back home to sleep in the back seat of my support car.

Engine was perfect. Suspension setting was perfect.
An attempt to further improve the responsiveness of the steering,
In this event site, in order to improve the steering response and more

I had to adjust the torsion bar on leaning forward in Mr. Sakuma.

Had planned soon, try and brake overhaul. 

But I was thinking that may be overhauled when to hibernate in his factory.
From the time I was starting the engine by turning the crank handle,
even though I was riding I own a car.  "What a stupid !"

"Run within a speed you are confident to stop."
I had forgotten the basics of car drivers should have to.

It's been too accustomed to the ease of modern cars.

At the entrance of the temple, waiting for our lunch. Dino and Pepe.